Sweet Little Serena (Original)

Chapter 70

"Aww I was hoping you were going to hug her," Serena said as she looped her arm with Alec's, Clary heading off towards her room.

They were dressed in formal blacks, Izzy in a dress of deep blue for Max's Rune Ceremony. Only their family and Clary had been present as Max had his first rune drawn, not even flinching at the pain.

Clary, Jace, Alec and Serena had been talking about it in the hall, Jace moving to go talk to Maryse while Clary spoke to Alec, Serena staying silent.

It warmed her heart as Clary promised Alec that she didn't blame him for Jocelyn's death, glad that they were getting along.

Alec had affectionately squeezed her shoulder, Clary's hand covering his before she walked off. Jace and Maryse were both fighting tears as Serena and Alec approached, the mother and son clearly having made up after the events the previous night.

"Look, Mom, Max says that you and Dad are still fighting. It was happening when Serena came to visit you almost a year ago and it's still happening now, in front of Max. What is going on?" Alec asked, hand linked with his wife's.

Maryse sighed as she continued to fight the tears.

"I'm sorry. I've been trying to keep it from you and from Max. I didn't want to burden you all..."

Maryse was scared to say more as her bottom lip quivered, lump in her throat prepared to break her voice when she spoke again.

"Is Dad cheating on you?" Alec dared ask and the three siblings held their breaths, praying for a denial.

Maryse couldn't look her children in the eye, and she lowered her head, biting her lips to keep the sobs in.

"Bastard," Jace swore as Serena hugged Maryse, the woman of steel letting two tears slip through as Serena's hug calmed her.

"You can't tell Isabelle,' Maryse said as they pulled away. "She worships Robert. I can bear it, but it would destroy her."

But it was when Alec hugged her next that she let out several sobs, Jace moving to take his sister's hand.

"Mom, you don't deserve to bear that pain. Come and stay with us," Serena said softly.

"You and Max," Jace added.

"You don't have to go back to Idris, or Dad," Alec joined in and Maryse only squeezed her son tighter.

"Oh, I wish I could stay...more than anything. But I have to get back to the Clave," Maryse said as she and Alec pulled away and she wiped her eyes.

"Why? Let Robert take care of that," Jace said.

"Everything's different now between Clary and you and the Sword," Maryse said to Serena. "I can't let my problems interfere with my duty. Not now," she proclaimed, returning to the woman of steel.

"Well, anytime, Mom, I mean anytime, you'll always have a place here," Alec promised, his wife and parabatai agreeing with him.

Maryse cried as she pulled all three of them into a hug.

"Oh, my darling children. I love you all so much."